FEATURE PHOTO: … Early Learning Center Staff Formation
Category Archives: Diocesan News
Característica de CSA: Formación en la fe con Michelle Harkins
Durante más de dos décadas, Michelle Harkins ha sido una presencia constante y fiel en la parroquia de St. James, en Tupelo, Misisipi. Desde voluntaria a tiempo completo hasta líder parroquial de confianza, su ministerio ha influido en la vida de innumerables familias, y todo comenzó con un simple “sí” de una madre.
Su ministerio comenzó con el deseo de apoyar el camino de fe de sus hijos.
“Sentí que era crucial, como madre, involucrarme y participar activamente”, afirma.
Esa implicación pronto se convirtió en impartir clases de catequesis, colaborar con el Programa Juvenil Católico y, finalmente, dirigir el ministerio de Protección de los Niños de la parroquia.
A lo largo de los años, la fe de Harkins se ha profundizado.
“Trabajar con los jóvenes me ayuda a aprender más para poder dar una respuesta sencilla a lo que para ellos puede ser una pregunta difícil”, afirma.
Habla con gran orgullo de los lazos que se crean a través del ministerio, conexiones que perduran mucho más allá de la confirmación o la graduación.
“Los momentos que más atesoro son cuando me dicen: ‘Gracias por estar ahí conmigo en todo momento. Gracias por tu tiempo y tu comprensión'”, afirma Harkins.
Quizás la parte más gratificante de su ministerio ha sido ver cómo se ha completado el círculo de la fe en las vidas de los jóvenes a los que una vez enseñó.
“Hay tantas historias”, dijo. «Pero las que más destacan son aquellas con las que caminé a través de la formación en la fe y ahora caminan conmigo como profesores y acompañantes adultos. Lauren Pound, Patrick Dye, Denise Burnley… eran “mis hijos” y hoy son jóvenes adultos que están siempre presentes para los jóvenes de nuestra parroquia. Es increíble y hermoso ver cómo se completa el círculo con la fe católica como su sólida base».
El ministerio de Harkins es uno de los muchos que reciben el apoyo de Catholic Service Appeal (CSA), que financia programas y servicios en toda la diócesis de Jackson. Ella cree en ello de todo corazón y anima a otros a contribuir.
“CSA ofrece mucho más de lo que la gente cree», afirma. «Por favor, donen y tómense el tiempo para descubrir todas las diversas y hermosas oportunidades que apoya en toda la diócesis. Sigue proporcionando ayuda a nuestros sacerdotes jubilados, como el padre Henry Shelton, que está jubilado, pero sigue sirviendo fielmente a St. James”.
“A aquellos que donan a la CSA y a aquellos que están considerando hacer una donación”, añade, “sepan en su corazón que están sirviendo a otros en nuestra diócesis de muchas maneras. Si quieren comprender todo lo que hace la CSA, tómense el tiempo necesario para investigar. Pónganse en contacto con la diócesis. Hagan preguntas. Descubrirán que están contribuyendo a una causa verdaderamente grande”.
Mientras Harkins continúa con su ministerio, su historia es un testimonio del impacto duradero que una sola persona puede tener en una comunidad de fe, y del efecto dominó de la generosidad compartida a través de iniciativas como la Catholic Service Appeal.
La Catholic Service Appeal anual une a los católicos de toda la diócesis de Jackson para apoyar 14 ministerios vitales que sirven a las comunidades locales. Desde la formación en la fe y la pastoral juvenil hasta la educación de los seminaristas y la atención sanitaria del clero, estas iniciativas ayudan a llevar el mensaje del Evangelio a los necesitados de toda la diócesis. Done hoy para ayudar a que estos ministerios prosperen.
STREAM of success: Two Catholic schools earn national STEM honor
By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – Two Catholic schools in the Diocese of Jackson have earned national recognition for their focus on science, technology, engineering and math education.
Annunciation School in Columbus and St. Anthony School in Madison recently received STEM certification through Cognia, a global nonprofit that accredits schools and educational institutions. The designation recognizes schools that integrate STEM across student learning and meet rigorous standards for innovation, critical thinking and problem solving.
Annunciation is the first school in the Golden Triangle area, and only the second in Mississippi, to earn the honor. St. Anthony became the first school in the state to achieve certification in 2017 and recently renewed its status.
At Annunciation, Principal Joni House said the recognition is a reflection of her teachers’ commitment to preparing students for the future.
“STEM education is imperative in today’s technology-driven world,” House said. “This Cognia certification confirms what we already know here at ACS: that our students leave here able to make an impact on whatever sector they choose to work in.”
The school broadens STEM into STREAM, adding religion and art. Teachers introduce STREAM as early as preschool through lessons that range from solar-powered car projects to science fairs and guest presentations from community members.
“The purpose of STREAM is to teach students how to approach problems using their original ideas,” said Nichole Cancellare, Annunciation’s STREAM coordinator. “While the focus is on STREAM subjects, it can encompass any subject. … Our community is involved in a lot of our activities, including STREAM Days and STREAM Career Expos. We rely heavily on our community partners, such as NASA, Mississippi State University and MSMS, to branch out our STREAM learning and for teacher professional development.”
At St. Anthony, Principal Anne Cowger said the re-certification highlights the school’s commitment to 21st-century learning.
“It affirms to parents, students and stakeholders that we are committed to fostering student engagement, critical thinking, collaboration and strong academic performance,” Cowger said.
Stephanie Brown, dean of academics and STEM certification review coordinator, said St. Anthony weaves its Catholic identity and the arts into STEM to form STREAM.
“When our Catholic identity and commitment to the arts are intertwined with STEM programming, we help students become well-rounded disciples of Christ who have the tools and skills they need to be change makers,” Brown said.
One example was a PreK lesson on “The Three Little Pigs.” After hearing the story, students built houses of straw, sticks and bricks, then designed their own stronger structures. The activity used the engineering design process while also teaching teamwork and respect for one another as children of God.
Cognia’s STEM certification process is based on performance standards that emphasize creating a STEM community, building a learning culture, and providing authentic experiences and outcomes. More than 400 schools worldwide have achieved the recognition.
“High-quality learning can transform lives, communities and the world,” Cognia notes in its standards.
With Annunciation and St. Anthony earning the distinction, Catholic schools in the diocese continue to show that students can be prepared to thrive in a rapidly changing world while remaining grounded in faith.
Welcome our new principals
Dr. John Jordan St. Joseph School, Madison
Principal (Oct. 1)
Casey Thomas
Annunciation School, Columbus
Rose Ball
St. Richard School,
Jackson
Cognia Accreditation: A mark of excellence for Catholic Education across the Diocese of Jackson
By Staff Reports
JACKSON – In April 2025, the Catholic Diocese of Jackson’s Office of Catholic Education successfully completed its system reaccreditation with Cognia, a globally recognized mark of educational quality.
First accredited as a system in 2019, the office underwent a comprehensive review that engaged administrators, teachers, students, parents and clergy in evaluating the effectiveness of diocesan educational operations. Through Cognia’s system accreditation, every school – large or small – benefits from consistent standards, aligned goals and the strategic sharing of resources, ensuring excellence across the diocesan network.
Cognia: A Mark of Excellence
Cognia’s accreditation framework draws from more than 130 years of expertise, serving more than 36,000 schools in 90 countries. Through a combination of rigorous standards, research-based tools and personalized professional support, Cognia helps school systems set a high bar for academic achievement and organizational effectiveness.
The result is a visible, global designation that signals to families, educators and the broader community that the system is committed to excellence.
Benefits of Cognia Accreditation
Through system accreditation, the diocese benefits from a single, unified review every six years, replacing multiple individual school visits and saving time, resources and costs.
The process offers:
- A clear, objective view of what is working well and where improvements are needed.
- Transparency in policies and procedures, ensuring fairness and consistency across schools.
- More effective management of human and financial resources to meet the needs of every learner.
- Stronger collaboration and communication among schools, leaders and teachers.
- Professional development rooted in real classroom data.
- Enhanced data analysis to inform decisions and track long-term progress.
Continuous Improvement Journey
Cognia’s accreditation process is built on the belief that improvement is a continuous journey. Evaluators partner closely with schools to conduct a thorough self-assessment grounded in both perception and performance data.
Unlike accrediting bodies that rely on a checklist, Cognia emphasizes meaningful growth and measurable progress. As Cognia affirms: Every institution, regardless of where they are today, can be better tomorrow.
This guiding principle shaped our approach throughout the reaccreditation process, inspiring us to reflect honestly, celebrate strengths and identify new opportunities for excellence.
How Did We Do?
The recent Cognia Accreditation Engagement Review confirms that Catholic schools in the Diocese of Jackson are excelling in many areas while identifying opportunities for continued growth.
The review awarded the diocese an Index of Education Quality (IEQ) score of 389 out of 400 – well above the Cognia network average of 296.
Key strengths noted include:
- A deep commitment to Catholic identity.
- A strong culture of continuous improvement.
- Active stakeholder engagement.
- Collaborative professional development.
- Effective use of data to guide decisions.
Students benefit from safe, inclusive and supportive learning environments enriched by faith, academic rigor and leadership opportunities.
Growth areas identified include: - Expanding professional learning that promotes student voice and ownership of learning.
- Encouraging teachers to engage in action research to strengthen instructional practices.
These recommendations will guide ongoing improvement efforts, ensuring that every child grows academically, socially and spiritually.
Accountability That Inspires Confidence
Choosing Cognia system accreditation is a choice to operate at the highest level of accountability and educational quality. It unites all diocesan schools under one collective vision – fostering a culture where every learner is known, valued and challenged to succeed.
For the families of our diocese, it means confidence that their children are part of a school system that meets rigorous global standards while remaining firmly grounded in the mission of Catholic education.
What are you waiting for? Come join us in spreading the Gospel through academic excellence in our Catholic schools.
(Visit https://jacksondiocese.org/schoolfinder to find one of our Diocesan Catholic Schools today.)
Diocesan seminarians witness history in Rome
By Madelyn Johnson
JACKSON – Grayson Foley and EJ Martin, seminarians for the Diocese of Jackson currently studying at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, planned their pilgrimage to Italy months in advance. What they didn’t realize was that their visit would become a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The two were called to join the Pilgrimage of Hope through Rome. After booking their trip in February, they were shocked to learn that a new pope – Pope Leo – had been elected the day before their flight to Rome.
While in Rome, Grayson and EJ visited with other seminarians at the Pontifical North American College and spent time with Grayson’s older brother, Sterling Foley, a seminarian with the Legionaries of Christ based at their House of Formation in Rome. The trio toured the city and visited all four major basilicas, walking through each Holy Door during this Jubilee Year.
“We went through all of the basilicas’ Holy Doors, continuously praying for the people back home in Mississippi and those who made the trip possible,” said Grayson Foley.
Shortly after their arrival, news broke that the Installation Mass for Pope Leo XIV – the first American pope – would take place on May 18. The seminarians were faced with a choice: should they stay and serve at the historic Mass? The answer was clear – yes.
Thanks to the hospitality of the Legionaries of Christ seminarians, tickets were secured for EJ, Grayson, and Grant Caillouet, a seminarian from the Diocese of Baton Rouge, to assist with the distribution of Communion during the Installation Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. Approximately 200,000 people were in attendance. They were seated to the right of the altar and remained there until the Creed.
“During the Creed of the Mass, we were shuffled back into the adoration chapel within St. Peter’s,” Grayson recalled. “As EJ and I walked into the gigantic empty St. Peter’s, it was the part within the Creed when the words, ‘Et unam, sanctam, catholicam et apostolicam Ecclesiam’ are chanted – which translates to ‘And (I believe in) one holy, Catholic and apostolic church.’ This amazing sight of the Church of St. Peter and how foundational that spot is for the church brought tears to my eyes, but I had to keep it together because we were about to distribute Communion.”
Each seminarian was given 100 hosts to distribute to the crowd of thousands attending the historic Mass. They moved into the crowd calling out “Corpus Christi!” as they gave the Eucharist to the faithful.
“EJ is tall with long arms and he distributed Communion to as many as he could,” said his mother, Dana Martin, who witnessed the event via livestream. “There were barriers holding people behind the pathway and EJ kept pushing through the crowd with Communion – Corpus Christi! Corpus Christi! Corpus Christi!”
After they finished distributing the hosts, the crowd separated them. Grayson found his way back inside St. Peter’s and witnessed Pope Leo greeting dignitaries from around the world, including the King and Queen of Spain.
EJ reflected, “Being so close to the installation of the first American pope was incredible. Praying with Jesus in my hands in an empty St. Peter’s was incredible. But the most incredible part was distributing Communion to the people. How joyful they were to receive Jesus at that Mass. These people had probably been waiting five-plus hours for this opportunity. Such a blessed experience – one I will never forget.”
EJ and Grayson were honored to be part of such a profound moment in church history and are thankful to all who supported them in making the pilgrimage possible. As they continue their formation for the priesthood with the Diocese of Jackson, they carry with them the joy of having served Christ and His church in the heart of St. Peter’s – an experience that deepened their call and strengthened their commitment to serve God’s people.
FEATURE PHOTOS: … Anniversary blessings to Father Jeffrey Waldrep and Father Sam Messina …
More photos from Father Jeffrey Waldrep’s Celebration
More photos from Father Sam Messina’s Celebration
Walking the Way: Young adults find faith and fellowship on the Camino de Santiago
By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – This May, a group of young adults from the Diocese of Jackson joined pilgrims from around the world in Spain, walking nearly 75 miles on the historic Camino de Santiago. Led by Father Lincoln Dall and organized through the Office of Young Adult and Campus Ministries, the 11-day journey invited participants into a rhythm of prayer, simplicity and deep encounter – with God, themselves and each other.
For civil engineer Samuel Rust of St. Joseph Parish in Gluckstadt, the Camino offered “a challenging yet simple way of life. A good reset from the hustle and bustle of daily life.” Rust had dreamed of walking the Camino for more than a decade, drawn by its blend of Catholic tradition and the spirit of adventure. “I encountered God most clearly in the people we met,” he said. “Everyone, regardless of nationality or language, was so friendly. We met people from five of the seven continents.”
Among the most memorable were a group of Taiwanese women the pilgrims kept running into – first during their free day exploring Ferrol, and again unexpectedly in the square outside the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, after the pilgrimage had ended. “It felt like a perfect closing to the journey,” Rust said.
The group walked the Camino Inglés, or “English Way,” beginning in Ferrol on the northern coast of Spain. Daily Mass, simple meals, and shared conversations grounded the experience as they crossed Roman roads, cobbled paths and centuries-old villages. The physical challenge was real – “Walking on hard surfaces every day was tough on my knees,” Rust admitted – but the deeper movement was spiritual.
“It’s not just about reaching a destination,” said Amelia Rizor, who coordinated the pilgrimage. “It’s about what happens along the way. Everyone carried something different – grief, questions, transitions – but the Camino meets you where you are. You get to walk with God, in real time, step by step.”
This was Rizor’s first time walking the Camino, and she did so alongside the group she helped organize. “It was powerful watching these young adults – some Catholic, some not – experience moments of prayer and awe, and really open up to the quiet,” she said. “It was raw, it was beautiful.”
One image that stuck with her was a snail crawling slowly across the path. “It was just this perfect visual of the pace we were being called to. The Camino isn’t about rushing – it’s about slowing down enough to notice what God is showing you in the smallest things.”
Chandler Parker, a 23-year-old student at Delta State University and a Baptist, said the Camino helped him grow in his walk with Christ. “It taught me some great lessons on discipline and helped me go deeper spiritually,” he said.
Wes LeBlanc, 21, of Holy Cross Parish in Philadelphia, Mississippi, described the Camino as a glimpse into how God works across humanity. “Even though we are all driven by different beliefs, motives and experiences, God has laid down the path for us to follow,” he said. “All we have to do is pay attention in the silence and follow the signs.”
Father Lincoln, who has walked the Camino six times, said each experience is different – but leading young people from the diocese was uniquely rewarding. “They found God in coffee breaks, in blisters, in spontaneous conversations with pilgrims from Taiwan. It wasn’t a rigid itinerary – it was about letting each person encounter the Camino in their own way,” he said.
Also joining the group was Edgar Meyer of St. Richard Parish in Jackson, who teaches at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Whether it was the shared meals, the aching legs, or the quiet prayers offered in stone chapels, one thing was clear: the Camino left its mark. As Rizor put it, “They came home changed – and closer to Christ.”
Pope accepts resignation of Mobile archbishop, names St. Louis auxiliary as successor
By Gina Christian
MOBILE, Ala. (OSV News) – The Archdiocese of Mobile, Alabama, will welcome a new shepherd, as Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi and appointed Auxiliary Bishop Mark S. Rivituso of St. Louis as his successor.
The resignation and appointment were announced in Washington July 1 by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the U.S.
Archbishop Rodi, 76, had submitted his resignation to the pope in March 2024 upon reaching his 75th birthday, as required by canon law.
The archbishop, who has served in his current see for more than 17 years, will continue as apostolic administrator of the Mobile Archdiocese until the installation of now-Archbishop Rivituso.
Archbishop Rivituso’s installation Mass is set to take place Sept. 3 at the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Mobile at 11 a.m.
Archbishop Rodi hailed the appointment of his successor, saying in a July 1 statement he was “most grateful to the Holy Father for sending us this outstanding bishop.”
“Every time I have an opportunity to truly serve others, that’s always a blessing,” Archbishop Rivituso said at a Mobile news conference about his appointment. “This is a wonderful opportunity with the Catholic faith community and other partners of goodwill. I hope to work together for the greater good, to especially be mindful of the poor, those who are marginalized, those who are suffering, those who are in need.”
“There’s been a recent precedent of welcoming Midwesterners to our universal church with Pope Leo to Chicago,” he continued. “I appreciate you are faithful to that precedent and welcoming this Midwesterner from St. Louis to be part of this archdiocese.”
“I will say I have already been won over by your Southern charm and hospitality. I feel a sense of belonging. … I do feel at home in ‘Sweet Home Alabama,’” he added, referencing a popular song.
Archbishop Rivituso, 63, a St. Louis native and the sixth of eight children, has ministered extensively throughout the St. Louis Archdiocese and has served as its vicar general since 2011.
A graduate of Cardinal Glennon College and Kenrick Seminary, both in St. Louis, he earned a licentiate in canon and civil law from St. Paul University in Ottawa, Ontario.
His 1988 priestly ordination in St. Louis foreshadowed a future connection to Mobile: The late Archbishop John L. May, who ordained him, had led the Alabama archdiocese prior to his St. Louis appointment.
He has long experience in prison and death-row ministry – an issue particularly relevant to Alabama, which carried out the first-ever nitrogen gas execution in the U.S. in 2024. Archbishop Rivituso advocated for the end of capital punishment in Missouri and has worked with Catholic Mobilizing Network in death penalty abolition efforts.
“The late Pope Francis really taught me about making sure that we’re mindful of those who are on the peripheries,” he told the St. Louis Review in an interview published July 1. “I feel like that’s always something that’s going to be important in my heart and ministry. The church is so blessed to be involved in the works of compassion, and I think that’s where we truly live what Jesus has called us to do about living his works of mercy.”
At the press conference, Archbishop Rivituso said, “I am blessed. … I will labor with the shepherding love of Jesus for all of you because I want to love you as Christ loves. I want to do what I can to lift each other up so we live out the goodness of our life and just know that we’re here for each other.”
(Gina Christian is a multimedia reporter for OSV News. Follow her on X @GinaJesseReina. Contributing to this was Rob Herbst, editor of The Catholic Week, news outlet of the Archdiocese of Mobile.)
Bishop Kopacz on appointment of Mobile’s new archbishop
JACKSON – Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz and the Diocese of Jackson rejoice on behalf of the Archdiocese of Mobile over the appointment by Pope Leo XIV of Archbishop Mark S. Rivituso as the third Archbishop of Mobile. He is a native son of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and has served as auxiliary bishop there since 2017.
We ask the Lord Jesus’ choicest blessings upon him during this time of transition from St. Louis to Mobile. He can be assured of a hearty welcome to the Province of Mobile as the new Archbishop.
Also, our prayers of immeasurable gratitude go out to Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi for his remarkable leadership as the Archbishop of Mobile since 2009, and before then as the Bishop of Biloxi during the Katrina natural disaster. He has truly been an apostle of the Gulf as chancellor and vicar general in New Orleans, the Bishop of Biloxi, and the Archbishop of Mobile.
May the Lord continue to let his face shine upon this good and faithful servant in retirement.